| The Life of Dr. J.R. Miller |
Chapter 7 |
Page 9 |
The story of the development of Forward, the Sunday school paper for young people, is one of the most striking evidences of Dr. Miller’s editorial sagacity and ability. When he began his work for the Board he dreamed of a paper that would give the young people in the Sunday school the best stories and general articles, and a page of wholesome, cheerful Christian counsel. Within a brief time the first number was sent to the schools. The paper was small, but clearly it showed the characteristics that later made it great. In 1897 the pages were so enlarged that it became possible to carry out many plans long held in abeyance. At once Forward became a power. Not only the young people wanted it, but parents and even pastors insisted that they must have it. The editorial page – long the product of Dr. Miller’s heart and brain – was called “the best editorial page in the country.” It was so simple that young people read it with delight, and so suggestive that pastors said they found there the germ for many of their best sermons. One reader wrote: “I have had more help from that editorial page than from any other literature outside the Bible.” This message is a fair sample of hundreds. Circulation increased rapidly, until in 1912 more than three hundred thousand copies were issued each week. Editions furnished to other churches, under other names, brought the total circulation well up toward half a million.
When the paper was enlarged, Dr. Miller told his readers of his plans:
“Forward will have its words for home life, for school life, for social life. It will seek to help the young people in their reading, and in their choice of books, in their friendships, in their pleasures. Everything that belongs to the life of a young man or a young woman will be a proper subject for treatment in its pages.
“There shall be no dull pages in Forward, no loose or careless writing, no light or trivial treatment of subjects, nothing sensational either in matter or illustration, and yet the paper will be made as bright, attractive and interesting as it will be possible to make it.”
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